I just got back from church, and what a wonderful experience. I was never the type to go to church in the past, and in fact I hated church. I hated how happy all these people were, and thought of them as fake. Now I realize that these people are all like me, and are just finding a way to live their life with meaning. Although I like to replace the word "jesus" with "god" i still loved the message and todays topic.
The topic of the day was divine purpose. God has us all on this earth for a reason, but for what? Sometimes it can get lost so easily, but I know I must do something while on this earth. Though I may not know yet what exactly this is, I know god will let me know this with time. Just like each and every one of us here, God saved us for a reason. We all escaped death, and god saved us all from alcoholic deaths. But why? Im sure it wasnt to just keep on going living the same meaningless lives we were living. I guess the moment I accepted god into my life, a spark was also lit inside me. A fire , a burning desire to be what god wants me to be.
So I guess Im asking , as inspiration and help for me , how have you all changed your lives? How have you added purpose in your lives, and what are some things that you know now God wants you to accomplish in your life? I would really love to know what God has said to you all ,and what he told you to go out and achieve with your new life. Cant wait to read, and thanks for letting me ask and share!
There are days that go by and Im not sure what Gods purpose is for me .. until I reach the end of the day and look the days events and happenings over, while doing a 10th step inventory that I try to do every night.
If I am focused, and my brain is cleared, no interruptions ( like turn off the TV, get away from this puter, shut off the phone if necessary and sit quietly with pen and paper and try to relax ) I might realize that the reason I got behind someone on the road driving very slowly causing me to be late to a meeting .. therefor finding a newcomer standing outside the meeting place afraid to walk in alone , and I would notice this stranger and welcome them or say hello, or start up a conversation. This would not be a coincidence to me, it would be more of a God thing. It would be Gods purpose for me at that particular time.
Or, maybe I find myself complaining about a nasty, cold, rainy day and having to be stuck indoors. I turn on the TV and see the newsman talking about a homeless shelter, and it helps me to realize how blessed I am that Im not homeless.
I changed my life with the help of AA and the God I found there. I added purpose to my life by becoming responsible, dependable, useful and grateful.
God talks to me thru other ppl. God talks to me thru his word written in the Bible. God talks to me thru various diff types of nature whether it be a wild animal, the sky, the wind in the tree's or a lightening strike in a thunderstorm.
I believe Gods will for me is to be happy, joyous and free. I can only acheive this by staying sober one day at a time. I can only acheive this by working the steps into my daily life as best I can. Not always easy to do, but its certainly not impossible ... as long as I dont pick up a drink.
An example of God's will for me is in what goes on with this board held up to the light of the 12th step. When I was newly asking the question what is this all about and what am I to do with it then I understood the 12th step and God's will. Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these I try to carry this message to alcoholics and continue to practice these principles in all my affairs. Gods will for me is continue to practice the principles and give what I have been freely give here to another alcoholic in need.
I most often experience the operation of God's will in the program and on the MIP board. Keep it simple.
BB p.77, Into Action Our real purpose is to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God and the people about us.
Well put Rainspa. My God is not the one you'll find in church, and don't attend. Honestly, I no longer question what His will for me is. I know that his will is being done in my life every day, whether I'm aware of it or not. The first thing I strive for is to take myself out of the equation so as not to get in His way. It's also very important for me to try and make myself useful according to what His will is for others. In the past, all I cared about was what I could get or do for me. Others didn't matter. Today I know that the real joy comes from doing for others and letting God give me what I need.
K.....
__________________
Nothing ever truly dies. The universe wastes nothing. Everything is simply, transformed. :confuse:
I don't believe that I have the ability to see the future, nor the ability to separate my will from God's will in my head. I used to think that I was crazy for not being sure of God's will. But today, I think that being sure is a sign of insanity. I think the more certain I am, the more my will is running the show. The minute I'm 100% sure God's will is for me to do this or that, I am no longer open to suggestion and I've closed my mind. God's will seems to come to me minute by minute, second by second. I don't get a lot of look-ahead and if I'm getting visions of the future, it's probably because I've disconnected my wireless stream from the present.
I don't know enough about God to know if my free will is an illusion. I believe God gave me free will but knowing full well exactly how I would use it. If I were God, and I had 6 billion children, I'd give them all free will just to make things interesting... LOL.
At any rate, at the end of the day I can see what God's will was for me that day. If God is all powerful, it's simply impossible for me to act against His will... although I apparently have at least the ability to *think* against His will. So maybe today, I will be a messenger for God and an inspiration to somebody. Far more likely, I'll be an asshole and be God's tool for teaching someone patience and tolerance today. That's just based on statistical observations, not projection
Barisax
-- Edited by barisax on Monday 22nd of November 2010 10:40:26 AM
I believe Gods plan for me ,is to be all He intended me to be,however ,I believe the details will be left up to me!! Take my life, guide me in my recovery,show me how to live......
__________________
Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
First of all, I think God wants me to live. Second, I' think he wants me to live sober. Third, I think he wants me to live sober so I can be of some use to someobody while I'm sticking around.
I was rereading some books I grew up with from childhood and I came across these passages, and I realized where I had gotten my "model" for God
"I have known many gods. He who denies them is as blind as he who trusts them too deeply. I know not, nor do I care. Let me live deep while I live; let me know the rich juices of red meat and stinging wine on my palate, the hot embrace of white arms, the mad exultation of battle when the blue blades flame and crimson, and I am content. Let teachers and priests and philosophers brood over questions of reality and illusion. I know this: if life is illusion, then I am no less an illusion, and being thus, the illusion is real to me. I live, I burn with life, I love, I slay, and am content."
What use to call on him? Little he cares if men live or die. Better to be silent than to call his attention to you; he will send you dooms, not fortune! He is grim and loveless, but at birth he breathes power to strive and slay into a man's soul. What else shall men ask of the gods? ...
__________________
it's not the change that's painful, it's the resistance to change that is painful
